AMD Initiates Sampling of “Ontario” Processors, Targets Launch in First Half of 2011.

Advanced Micro Devices said at Computex Taipei 2010 that the company had initiated sampling process of its code-named Ontario chips that contain both x86 general-purpose cores along with graphics processing engine on the same piece of silicon. Besides, the company said that the Ontario chips will be launched in the first half of 2011, which is slightly sooner than originally anticipated.

“Ontario is a part of Brazos platform. Just like Llano, we are sampling it to customers today. We are demoing it at Computex [behind the closed doors]. Expect this product to launch in the first half of 2011,” said Rick Bergman, senior vice president and general manager of AMD products group, during AMD’s press conference at the trade-show.

AMD Ontario features up to two x86 cores based on Bobcat micro-architecture, integrated DirectX 11-class graphics core and DDR3 memory controller. The Ontario accelerated processing unit (APU) will be made using bulk 40nm process technology and will feature monolithic design.

As reported previously, the Bobcat micro-architecture features x86-64, virtualization, SSE, SSE2, SSE3 technologies and will be single-threaded with out-of-order execution. The actual Ontario microprocessor, which is a dual-core chip, will be able to offer 90% of today’s “mainstream performance” in less than half of die area, according to the chip designer. AMD claims that Bobcat-based products are sub-1W capable, hence, such chips will be able to address products in various form-factors, including slate-type PCs. AMD also says that AMD Ontario solutions are single-chip products.